Introducing new chickens to a new coop with existing chickens

[ccpiner]

When my husband finishes our coop, it will have two separate sides, but only separated with hardware. Lotus. One side will be the main coop and the other will be the brooder section. I still have to come up with a plan for an isolation coop for sick or injured chickens.

I think I’m going to build a smaller separate coop to have in the run for emergencies. It’s easy enough to section off the end of the run but I need something better than a dog crate.

 

[rosemarythyme]

WHat is your roost set up like? Ideally there should be 2 separate bars so the youngsters can take one and older ones take one, and that should help minimize any roost issues.

If there is only space for 1 bar, how long is that roost bar vs number of birds? You can try using a physical divider to give the younger ones a bit more safety on the roost if they must share it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Instead of trying to wrangle the younger birds into the coop at dusk, wait until after dark when they have settled down and are quiet. Then go in quietly, pluck them from wherever they have settled, carry them into the coop and put them where you want them to roost. They will stay there because it's dark and they cannot see. In my experience, if you do this for three or four nights, and make their old brooder unavailable, they will move into their new home with no problem.

 

[BDutch]

Access is blocked but they will not go in the main coop. I literally am having to chase them down to put them in at night. I hope They’ll get it soon. They are afraid of the older hens. I say older but they are only 4 months older. They are definitely living as two separate flocks in the same run. They are scared of the older hens.

Search for another solution. Chasing them to sleep with the older ones can traumatise the younger ones.

Its better to wait until its (near) dark to put them on the roost with the older hens.

But IMO it’s best not to interfere too much in the flocks social behaviour. Can you make another roost area in the coop? Can you build better shelter/coop with a roost in the run?

 

[ccpiner]

Search for another solution. Chasing them to sleep with the older ones can traumatise the younger ones.

Its better to wait until its (near) dark to put them on the roost with the older hens.

But IMO it’s best not to interfere too much in the flocks social behaviour. Can you make another roost area in the coop? Can you build better shelter/coop with a roost in the run?

I agree that it is stressful. The coop has plenty of roosting space and is large so space isn’t the issue. There are lots of roosts in the run but I’m always leery no matter how safe the run that something can break through. I’ve never had that happen but there’s always a first. I will definitely wait until it is fully dark tonight though and see if that’s better. Thanks for the reply.

 

[ccpiner]

Instead of trying to wrangle the younger birds into the coop at dusk, wait until after dark when they have settled down and are quiet. Then go in quietly, pluck them from wherever they have settled, carry them into the coop and put them where you want them to roost. They will stay there because it's dark and they cannot see. In my experience, if you do this for three or four nights, and make their old brooder unavailable, they will move into their new home with no problem.

Thank you. I am definitely going to wait until it’s fully dark tonight. Dusk is not working.

 

[Mrs. K]

Try this, it has worked well for me. Let them go into the dog crate. Then put the dog crate in the coop, leaving it opened. In the morning, they will come out on their own. In a few days leave the crate inside the coop during the day. Ten to one, they will be there at dark.

Mrs K

 

[BDutch]

Try this, it has worked well for me. Let them go into the dog crate. Then put the dog crate in the coop, leaving it opened. In the morning, they will come out on their own. In a few days leave the crate inside the coop during the day. Ten to one, they will be there at dark.

Mrs K

Good thinking

 

[ccpiner]

Try this, it has worked well for me. Let them go into the dog crate. Then put the dog crate in the coop, leaving it opened. In the morning, they will come out on their own. In a few days leave the crate inside the coop during the day. Ten to one, they will be there at dark.

Mrs K

Sadly the dog crate is huge and won’t fit through the coop door. My coop is above ground, not a walk in.

 

[Mrs. K]

oh - I thought I read some where it was quite large.